stagnate

verb

stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating

intransitive verb

: to become or remain stagnant

Examples of stagnate in a Sentence

a puddle of stagnating water
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But young Chinese today face a shakier economic situation, stagnating wages, and a rising cost of living. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Household income growth would stagnate, which runs against government plans to boost domestic consumption. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 The society stagnates and is unable to solve problems. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025 If companies don’t make investments, growth will stagnate. Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stagnate

Word History

Etymology

Latin stagnatus, past participle of stagnare, from stagnum body of standing water

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnate was in 1661

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stagnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stagnate

verb
stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating
: to be or become stagnant
stagnation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stagnate

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